The Hongqiao International Central Business District has outlined five key tasks for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), spanning opening-up, exhibitions, transport connectivity, sci-tech innovation, and urban development.

1. Enhance business services and deepen opening-up

The district will position itself as a leading area for high-standard opening-up and upgrade its platform to support Shanghai's development as an international trade hub.

It aims to increase the value of trade in services from $17.9 billion to around $23 billion, while serving as a first stop for Yangtze River Delta companies going global. The Hongqiao Overseas Development Service Center will also be upgraded to provide enhanced services for companies seeking to expand internationally.

The district will also intensify its efforts to attract additional high-level corporate headquarters. Building on the 283 corporate headquarters recognized at the municipal level by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), it aims to add about 125 more during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

2. Maximize the spillover effects of CIIE

The district will continue to host the China International Import Expo and other major conferences and events while promoting the routine implementation of innovative policies for exhibition taxation and customs clearance supervision. It will also establish long-term mechanisms to convert exhibits into commercial products and exhibitors into investors.

It will strengthen its role as a core area for Shanghai's development as an international exhibition and convention destination and attract a number of premium professional exhibitions. The district will promote closer links between culture, commerce, tourism, sports, and exhibitions, strengthen coordination between the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and nearby commercial facilities, and attract more major events to the area.

3. Leverage transport connectivity

With more than 400 million passenger trips each year, the district aims to transform its substantial transport flows into sustained local economic activity, creating new drivers of regional growth.

It will continue to improve its comprehensive transport hub system centered on the Hongqiao Comprehensive Transportation Hub and supported by four subregional hubs, namely the South Hongqiao Hub (Fangle Road Hub), the West Hongqiao Hub (Exhibition and Convention Center Hub), the North Hongqiao Hub (Jinyun Road Hub), and the East Hongqiao Hub (Songhong Road Hub). It will also accelerate major transport projects including the western extension of Metro Line 13, the Jiamin Line, and the eastern extension of Yingbin Road Number Three, while developing a denser multi-level regional transport network and improving regional connectivity.

The district will also deepen cross-regional cooperation in the YRD by promoting cross-regional infrastructure connectivity, sharing public resources, and facilitating two-way flows of factors, while working to create a daily commuting circle for surrounding areas and a half-day business activity circle across the YRD.

4. Harness sci-tech innovation

The district will improve the quality and efficiency of traditional competitive sectors, such as commerce and exhibitions, while developing emerging industries, such as life sciences, and laying the groundwork for future industries, such as brain-computer interfaces.

It will accelerate the development of a YRD manufacturing research and development cluster and establish a collaborative innovation model linking R&D in Hongqiao, manufacturing across the YRD, and global applications, while attracting technology innovation platforms and R&D headquarters. The district aims to add around 100 R&D centers of various types by 2030.

The district will also step up efforts to attract international, specialized, and innovative talent and build a talent hub serving the YRD.

5. Advance people-centered urban development

The district will coordinate efforts in urban renewal, public services, ecological improvement, and smart-city development, while advancing four major projects in the core area to enhance functional integration, spatial connectivity, and the area's identity.

Hongchang Lyuqiu (虹场绿丘) will upgrade the western transport platform at the Hongqiao Comprehensive Transportation Hub, adding conference, exhibition, and supporting facilities, and improving connections between the hub and surrounding business areas.

Gaoxian Feihong (高线飞虹) will create an approximately 700-meter-long above- and below-ground walking and cycling network linking the Hongqiao Comprehensive Transportation Hub with the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and surrounding office buildings.

Shuian Xiuchang (水岸秀场) will upgrade the public space along the Beihengjing waterfront, adding wetlands, lawns, and a water stage for leisure, recreation, and cultural activities.

Huoli Qingzhou (活力青洲) will redevelop the parking area east of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), with supporting facilities including small- and medium-sized conference and exhibition venues and business hotels.

The district will also expand the supply of high-quality public services, accelerating the development of a nine-year school that provides compulsory education north of the Songze Elevated Road and the Fudan University Hongqiao Medical Innovation Park. It will enhance the capabilities of medical institutions such as the New Hongqiao International Medical Center while developing parks, including Qianwan Park, and urban greenways.

Source: General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government